While taking some flak for doing so, City of Phoenix officials are standing by their decision to accept non-swimming minorities as pool lifeguards.

The problem with requiring swimming proficiency as a condition of employment is that minorities would be under-represented among those we hire, City Parks and Recreation Administrator Alfredo Zote observed. The Mayor has asked us to strive for a workforce that mirrors the composition of the Citys population. We cant do that if we impose qualifications that have a disproportionate impact on any racial or ethnic groups.

As to whether the ability to swim might not be a crucial skill in the performance of the job, Zote demurred. Few of the annual drownings that occur in our state are at public pools, he pointed out. And we can team the non-swimming minority hire with a strong-swimming white hiree. That way the non-swimmer can help spot a potential drowning victim and direct the swimmer to rescue him.

While Zote acknowledged that he had no idea on whether the new policy would have any negative consequences for the safety of visitors to any of the Citys 23 public pools he did ask that critics balance any undesired outcomes at the pools with the social gains of our minority hiring policy. Providing employment for disfavored groups is not without its benefits. Whether their gains in self-esteem outweigh losses in terms of injury or fatalities at our sites is, in my opinion, a judgment call.

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...

Theres a good reason the city is hiring lifeguards that cant swim. Public pools are largely used by Latino and African-American kids, but most of the lifeguards are white and this creates a huge problem. The kids in the pool are all either Hispanic or black or whatever, and every lifeguard is white and we dont like that, says a Phoenix official quoted in the story.

In other words, the city should hire someone with a skin color that doesn't offend the racists. That's "a good reason" why Whitey need not apply.

RE :”While taking some flak for doing so, City of Phoenix officials are standing by their decision to accept non-swimming minorities as pool lifeguards. The problem with requiring swimming proficiency as a condition of employment is that minorities would be under-represented among those we hire, City Parks and Recreation Administrator Alfredo Zote observed. The Mayor has asked us to strive for a workforce that mirrors the composition of the Citys population. We cant do that if we impose qualifications that have a disproportionate impact on any racial or ethnic groups.

This is one that is so outrageous and perfect (for us to repeat) that I am naturally hesitant to even believe it is true.

You CANT get a better example than this.

Here in Maryland my favorite swimming hole 100 years history which was an absolute heaven in the summer was closed 2003 because an adult swimming across drowned (it had many posted signs 'swim at your own risk') and her parents sued, And yes when all those years it was open before 2003 I went a few times a week every summer for a decade and saw very few blacks were swimming in it because few knew how to swim. they stuck with the pools.

The new America.

28
posted on 04/05/2013 7:59:41 PM PDT
by sickoflibs
(To GOP : Any path to US citizenship IS putting them ahead in line. Stop lying about your position.)

I read an article you are quoted in regarding a lack of diversity with your lifeguards in Phoenix.

Article quote:

”The kids in the pool are all either Hispanic or black or whatever, and every lifeguard is white,” she says, “and we don’t like that. The kids don’t relate; there’s language issues.”

In the first place you dont have to like that. The lifeguards are not there to relate they are there to save lives should an emergency arise. In fact lifeguards are not supposed to talk to people in or out of the pool when guarding, theyre supposed to stay alert and watch people
in the pool.

In the second place there should not be any language issues as long as the guards speak English, being theyre all white I would assume they speak it, this is the USA.

As lifeguarding is a field that is vital for safety it would seem guards should be selected for their ability and expertise, not their skin color.

Should an Hispanic or black person be about to drown I would think theyd want the very best qualified lifeguards guarding those Phoenix pools, it in fact could be the difference between life and death. Im positive you and your coworkers wouldnt “like that” if it was death.

Respectfully,

*************

31
posted on 04/05/2013 8:13:29 PM PDT
by jazusamo
("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)

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